Ergonomics Program
Injury and Illness Prevention
It is the commitment of Humboldt State University to maintain a safe and healthful
environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Based on principles of
occupational safety, industrial hygiene, academic excellence, and fiscal responsibility, the
University will promote comprehensive injury and illness prevention, and hazardous
materials management programs. University operations shall be conducted in
compliance with applicable regulations and accepted practices for health, safety and
environmental protection.
1. Ergonomic Program Description
The purpose of the HSU Ergonomic Program is to prevent the pain and suffering, as well
as costs to the University, associated with ergonomic related injuries. This is done
through a combination of workplace training, evaluation of workstations and work
practices, and the implementation of ergonomic control strategies.
2. Scope
The Ergonomics Program encompasses all HSU employees whose job functions have the
potential for work related injuries and disorders. Certain aspects of our job tasks and
work environments contain risk factors that may contribute to injury or disability.
Through proper ergonomic assessment, potential injuries and disorders may be reduced,
prevented and even eliminated.
The table below illustrates the relationship between work settings, job tasks, risk factors
and body areas that may be affected.
Work Settings
Job Tasks
Risk Factors
Affected Body
Areas
Office &
Computer
Word Processing (typing),
Data Entry and Web surfing
(mouse use)
Frequency, Duration,
Force
Hands, wrists,
arms, neck,
shoulders
Laboratory
Pipette use, microscope use
Posture, Frequency,
Duration
Hands, arms, neck,
back, legs
Manual Material
Handling
Carrying and transporting
heavy materials
Posture, Heavy
exertion, Force
Back, arms,
shoulders, legs
3. Definitions
3.1 Ergonomics: The study of the relationship between people, their work and their
physical work environment. The major goal of ergonomics is to fit the job to the
individual and promote healthy and safe work practices.
3.2 Ergonomic Stressors: Poor workplace designs can present ergonomic risk factors
called stressors. These stressors may include:· Repetition – the number of motions or
movements that are performed per cycle or per shift.· Force – the power of the muscles
used to produce motion in order to perform necessary activities such as lifting, grasping,
pinching, pushing, etc.· Extreme Postures – when muscles are required to work at a level
near or at their maximum capacity.
3.3 Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD): An injury or illness of the soft tissues of the upper
extremity, shoulders and neck, lower back, and lower extremity that is primarily caused
or exacerbated by workplace risk factors, such as sustained and repeated exertions or
awkward postures and manipulations. (Examples include: tendonitis, epicondylitis,
rotator cuff syndrome, low-back pain.)
3.4 Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI): Also known as repetitive stress injuries, an RMI is a
type of stress injury that results from repetitive motions such as frequent bending or
sustained awkward positioning performed over extended periods of time without
allowing for sufficient rest. Examples of RMI are medical conditions resulting from
repeated use of a body part.
4. Responsibilities
4.1 Employees: It is the responsibility of HSU employees to access proper ergonomics
training to improve their work practices if necessary.
4.2 Work Unit Specific Supervisor: It is the responsibility of each department head
and/or supervisor to support or recommend proper training for ergonomics for staff.
Additionally, they are responsible for implementation of EH&S ergonomic
recommendations if necessary.
4.3 Environmental Health and Safety: It is the responsibility of EH&S to evaluate and
monitor the ergonomics program including assessing the nature and extent of
ergonomics hazards, recommending ways of minimizing or controlling these hazards,
and supporting the University in consultation and direction regarding ergonomics.
5. Specific Program Components
5.1 Ergonomic Self-Evaluation
Access Cornell University’s Ergonomics Web - ERGO TIPS at:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ErgoTips2002/home.html , to perform a self-assessment
of your workstation for potential ergonomic risk factors. If you are still unable to correct
any ergonomic deficiencies, cont EH&S at extension 5711 and schedule a workstation
evaluation.
You can also visit other websites that contain valuable information regarding selfevaluation such as UCLA Ergonomics at http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu .
5.2 On-site Ergonomic Evaluation
Employees, Supervisors, or Department Heads may request an ergonomic assessment of
work area(s) or work process by sending an e-mail to tfm7001@humboldt.edu , or
contacting EH&S at extension 5711.
EH&S will conduct an ergonomic evaluation based on observations that include:
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Equipment used (mouse, keyboard, pipettes, microscope, etc.)
Work environment including workspace, access, lighting and glare
Specific tasks or job processes and percentages of time performing tasks
Workstation alignment (employee, keyboard, and monitor in straight line)
Keyboard height, tilt and distance from employee
Mouse placement
Monitor height, tilt, and distance from employee
Chair height, back support, and adjustability
Document placement
Other employee practices that may be a contributing factor
EH&S will provide written documentation for eliminating or reducing the identified
ergonomic risk factors to the employees and their supervisor. There are two general
approaches to controlling ergonomics risks:
Engineering Controls - Changes are made to the workstations, tools, and/or machinery
that alter the physical composition of area or process.
Administrative or Work Practice Controls - Changes are made to regulate exposure
without making physical changes to the area or process; for example, taking frequent
breaks and job rotations.
6. Reporting Requirements
If an employee experiences any signs or symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, the
employee is to report their symptoms to their supervisor.
Employees may also wish to consult their personal physicians to rule out any other
underlying causes.
7. Information and External References
Cal/OSHA, Title 8 §5110, Repetitive Motion Injuries
10/19/2007
Rev. 6/2/2011